Millions of people have been inspired by The Fountainhead, Ayn Rand's story of architect Howard Roark and his epic struggle for creative freedom. Yet inspiration is not enough: you need a blueprint for turning that vision into a flourishing life of joy and reason and meaning. The Tao of Roark provides that blueprint. It builds the foundation for greater freedom, dignity, depth, and beauty in life. It reveals the hidden connections between serenity and enthusiasm, passion and wisdom, independence and security, idealism and maturity, practicality and commitment. It shows the true harmony of self and other, inner and outer, the personal and the social. It lights the path to clearer thinking, healthier choices, greater achievement, and deeper emotions. It honors above all the sacred fire of individuality. It helps you find and keep the name of your soul. If you love The Fountainhead, you will treasure The Tao of Roark.

The Tao of Roark: Variations on a Theme from Ayn Rand

Politics & Social Sciences

Saint-Andre, Peter

Philosophy

Monadnock Valley Press

<p>The best life is a happy life, and a happy life is easy to achieve: all you need is to understand what is natural and needful for human beings (such as health, serenity, and companionship), and to avoid destructive emotions like anger and envy along with groundless desires for fame, power, public honors, great riches, and immortality. So argued the Greek philosopher Epicurus. Although he lived over 2300 years ago, the ideas and practices that Epicurus recommended are still compelling today. Letters on Happiness explores Epicureanism through a modern, down-to-earth dialogue between two young friends (and includes all-new translations of key Epicurean texts). Their extended conversation peels away the layers of misunderstanding about Epicurus that have accumulated over the centuries (e.g., that he advocated an unthinking hedonism), revealing the positive wisdom that lies at the core of this ancient creed. As Epicurus himself observed: "Reflect on what brings happiness, because if you have that you have everything, but if not you will do everything to attain it." Letters on Epicurus provides essential insights for the pursuit of happiness.</p>

Letters on Happiness: An Epicurean Dialogue

<p>Both a warning about the future and a celebration of the power of the individual, Ayn Rand's novel Anthem ranks with George Orwell's 1984, Aldous Huxley's Brave New World, and Yevgeny Zamyatin's WE as one of the most important dystopian works ever written. Unfortunately, existing versions of Anthem contain numerous textual errors. Based on extensive original research, the Monadnock Valley Press edition restores the definitive text for the first time in over 65 years. Also included are detailed textual notes describing the differences between various published versions.</p>

Anthem: The Definitive Text

Literature & Fiction

RAND, AYN

Classics

Traditional dictionaries of philosophy provide a great deal of detailed information and define a large number of uncommon terms. By contrast, The Ism Book is more of a "field guide" that cuts to the essence of key concepts in the history of ideas. The longest-running dictionary of philosophy on the Internet (continually maintained since 1996), The Ism Book is finally available in paperback and ebook formats for convenient reference. Naturally, the online version is still available at ismbook.com.

The Ism Book: A Field Guide to Philosophy

Henry David Thoreau, both naturalist and transcendentalist, always perceived the possibility of living a better life — some employment on your higher ground, which he called your upland farm. His writings encourage you to live deliberately, to pursue a path you can walk with love and reverence, to advance confidently in the direction of your dreams. Although Thoreau is often thought of as a mountain man or noble savage, in fact he favored a blending of civilization and wildness — and he still has much to teach us about the balance between work and leisure, society and solitude, nature and humanity, reflection and action, theory and practice. In Walden, Thoreau said that to be a philosopher is so to love wisdom as to live according to its dictates. The Upland Farm explores Thoreau's timeless views on ethics and happiness for modern readers in an inspiring yet practical way.

The Upland Farm: Thoreau on Cultivating a Better Life